''The Qin Empire'' is a 2009 Chinese television series based on Sun Haohui's novel of the same Chinese title, which romanticises the rise of the

Qin state Qin () was an ancient Chinese state during the Zhou dynasty. Traditionally dated to 897 BC, it took its origin in a reconquest of western lands previously lost to the Rong; its position at the western edge of Chinese civilization permitted ex ...

in the

Warring States period The Warring States period () was an era in History of China#Ancient China, ancient Chinese history characterized by warfare, as well as bureaucratic and military reforms and consolidation. It followed the Spring and Autumn period and concluded ...

under the leadership of

Duke Xiao of Qin Duke is a male title either of a monarch ruling over a duchy, or of a member of royalty, or nobility. As rulers, dukes are ranked below emperors, kings, grand princes, grand dukes, and sovereign princes. As royalty or nobility, they are ranked ...

. It was produced in 2006 and first aired on television channels in China in December 2009. It was followed by three sequels: '' The Qin Empire II: Alliance'' (2012), ''

The Qin Empire III ''The Qin Empire III'' is a 2017 Chinese television series based on Sun Haohui's novel of the same Chinese title, which romanticizes the events in China during the Warring States period primarily from the perspective of the Qin state under King Zh ...

'' (2017) and '' The Qin Empire IV'' (2019), which were also based on Sun Haohui's novels.

Plot

The series is set in the mid fourth century BC during the

of China. The

in western China has been weakened by years of poverty and internal conflict. It is now in peril of being conquered by the other six major states in the east. Duke Xiao, the new ruler of Qin, seeks to restore his state to its former glory (during Duke Mu's time) and retake the Qin territories lost to the Wei state in earlier battles. In his quest to recruit talents to assist him, Duke Xiao promises to share Qin with anyone – including foreigners – who could help him realise his grand ambitions. He attracts the attention of

Wei Yang Yang Wei or Wei Yang may refer to: *Shang Yang or Wei Yang (Chinese: 衞鞅; c. 390–338 BCE), ancient Chinese philosopher and politician *Yang Longyan (897–920) or Yang Wei (楊渭), King of Wu of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period *Yan ...

, a Legalist searching for opportunities to test his ideas. After discussing for three days and three nights on end, the two men develop a close relationship and work together over the next two decades to push forth a series of groundbreaking sociopolitical reforms in Qin. The reforms transform Qin into a powerful state and helped to lay the foundation for Qin's eventual unification of China under the

Qin dynasty The Qin dynasty ( ; zh, c=秦朝, p=Qín cháo, w=), or Ch'in dynasty in Wade–Giles romanization ( zh, c=, p=, w=Ch'in ch'ao), was the first Dynasties in Chinese history, dynasty of Imperial China. Named for its heartland in Qin (state), ...

nearly 200 years later.

Cast

* Hou Yong as Ying Quliang (Duke Xiao of Qin) * Wang Zhifei as Wei Yang (Shang Yang) *

Gao Yuanyuan Gao Yuanyuan (, born 5 October 1979) is a Chinese actress and model. She ranked 64th on ''Forbes'' China Celebrity 100 list in 2013, 40th in 2014, 76th in 2015, and 86th in 2017. Career Gao Yuanyuan was born in Beijing and graduated from China In ...

as Bai Xue * Du Yulu as Gongshu Cuo *

Lü Zhong Lü Zhong (born 17 December 1940) is a Chinese actress. Selected filmography Film Television series Theatre References External links * 1940 births Living people Chinese film actresses Chinese television actresses 20th-c ...

as the Duchess Dowager of Qin * Sun Feihu as Gan Long *

Xu Huanshan Xu Huanshan (born 13 July 1937) is a Chinese actor and occasional film director. Xu was enrolled in the Beijing Film Academy in 1956. A year later, he was labelled as a "rightist" and was sent for "re-education through labour" under the Communist ...

as Ying Shixi (Duke Xian of Qin) *

You Yong You Yong (born 13 December 1963) is a Chinese actor. He enrolled in the Xi'an Drama School (西安话剧院) in 1979 and joined the Shanghai Theatre Academy Shanghai Theatre Academy () is a public university in Shanghai, People's Republic of ...

Pang Juan Pang Juan (died 342 BC) was an ancient Chinese military general of the Wei state during the Warring States period. Life Early life Pang Juan was a fellow student of Sun Bin and both of them studied military strategy together under the tutela ...

Lee Li-chun Lee Li-chun (; born 2 May 1952) is a Taiwanese actor and ''xiangsheng'' performer. Career Lee is known for his work on stage with , starring in ''Art'' alongside Chin Shih-chieh and Ku Pao-ming in 2003. In 2005, Lee took the lead role in Godot' ...

King Hui of Wei King Hui of Wei (; 400–319 BC), originally called Marquis Hui of Wei, and after 344, King Hui of Liang () was the third ruler of the state of Wei during the Warring States period, ruling from approximately 369–319 BC. He was a grandson of Marqu ...

* Lu Yong as Ying Qian * Qi Fang as Yingyu * Yu Yang as Jing Jian * Hou Xiangling as Che Ying * Jiang Hualin as Heibo * Lu Ying as Du Zhi * Qiu Yongli as Gongsun Gu * Liu Naiyi as Ying Si ** Feng Pengfei as Ying Si (young) * Guo Changhui as Zi'an *

Chen Zhihui Chen Zhihui is a Chinese actor best known for playing supporting roles in various films and television series since the 1980s. Some of his more notable roles in film include: Master Chin in '' Jet Li's Fearless'' (2006); Zhang Fei in '' Three Kin ...

as Hou Ying * Wang Hui as Prince Ang of Wei * Yuan Ran as Xuanqi * Ren Wei as Wang Shi * Zhao Yang as Meigu * Jiao Changdao as Meng Che * Ren Xihong as Xiqi Hu * Li Zhuo as Bai Jin * Sun Jiaolong as Jing Nan *

Wu Ma Fung Wang-yuen (22 September 1942 – 4 February 2014), better known by his stage name Wu Ma, was a Hong Kong actor, director, producer and writer. Wu Ma made his screen debut in 1963, and with over 240 appearances to his name (plus 49 directoria ...

as Baili Yao * Li Haige as Linghu * Liu Bingfeng as Gan Cheng * Liu Mu as Crown Prince Shen of Wei * Lu Chaofan as Jin Bi * Jiang Hua as Long Gu * Zhao Dongbo as

Shen Buhai Shen Buhai (; c. 400c. 337) was a Chinese essayist, philosopher, and politician. He served as Chancellor of the Han state under Marquis Zhao of Han for fifteen years, from 354 BC to 337 BC. A contemporary of syncretist Shi Jiao and Legalist Sha ...

* Feng Zheng as Shanjia * Xia Lu as Heya * Mao Yue as Ying Ji (Chuli Ji) * Xu Yuting as Bai Tuo * Li Shide as

Shen Dao Shen Dao (; c. 350c. 275BC) was a Chinese philosopher and writer. He was a "Chinese Legalist" theoretician most remembered for his influence on Han Fei with regards to the concept of shi 勢 (circumstantial advantage, power, or authority), thou ...

* Zhou Yuhua as Qin Guxi * Wang Yingqi as Denglingzi * Qian Weidong as Kuhuo * Jin Ming as Zhao Kang * Zhang Bingqi as Zhao Liang * Ji Chen as

King Wei of Qi King Wei of Qi (), whose personal name was Tian Yinqi (田因齊), was the king of the northern Chinese state of Qi during the Warring States period, when Qi was one of the most powerful states in China. He reigned from 356 to 320 BC. or accordin ...

* Dong Qiming as

Sun Bin Sun Bin (died 316 BC) was a Chinese general, military strategist, and writer who lived during the Warring States period of Chinese history. A supposed descendant of Sun Tzu, Sun was tutored in military strategy by the hermit Guiguzi. He wa ...

* Mei Shengxiang as

Bian Que Bian Que (; 407 – 310 BC) was an ancient Chinese figure traditionally said to be the earliest known Chinese physician during the Warring States period. His real name is said to be Qin Yueren (), but his medical skills were so amazing that peop ...

* Unknown as Zhang Yi

List of featured songs

* ''Dafeng Qi Xi Yun Feiyang'' (大风起兮云飞扬; ''A Great Wind Comes Forth and the Clouds Rise High'') performed by Liao Changyong and

Tan Jing Tan Jing (; born September 11, 1977) is a solo Chinese singer in the CPC Central Military Commission Political Department Song and Dance Troupe and a first class national actress. Her music blends bel canto, Chinese national music (Guoyue), and ...

. * ''Jiujiu Laoqin'' (赳赳老秦; ''Grand Old Qin'') performed by the China Philharmonic Orchestra. * ''Xiang'ai Gengzhi'' (相爱耕织; ''Sowing Mutual Love'') performed by Lei Jia. * ''Fenghua Juedai'' (风华绝代; ''Magnificent and Peerless'') performed by Tan Jing.

Awards

The series won the Flying Goddess Award and the Golden Eagle Prize for the Best TV Drama.

International broadcast

External links

*
''The Qin Empire'' official website
*

on

Sina.com Sina Corporation (, "new wave") is a Chinese technology company. Sina operates four major business lines: Sina Weibo, Sina Mobile, Sina Online, and Sinanet. Sina has over 100 million registered users worldwide. Sina was recognized by '' South ...

{{DEFAULTSORT:Qin Empire (TV series), The 2009 Chinese television series debuts Television series set in the Zhou dynasty Television shows based on Chinese novels Chinese historical television series Television shows set in Xi'an The Qin Empire (TV series) Television series set in the 4th century BC